News Wrapup: 20/4/17

Last week we reported on the teaser trailer for Bandai Namco’s new project which contained the phrase ‘Prepare to Dine’, leading everyone to believe it was a new From Software title. It turns out the game is actually Code Vein: an action RPG about vampires that is being developed by the team behind God Eater and set to release in 2018. The game seems to focus on a group of vampires who traverse demonic dungeons, consuming their foes to preserve their humanity. The gameplay will consist of different weapon types with unique attacks, as well as special vampire abilities which drain enemies’ blood. Bandai Namco also released some absolutely beautiful art for the game which you can view at http://www.code-vein.com/.

Opinion: While I was initially disappointed that Code Vein wasn’t a new IP from Miyazaki and the rest of the From Software team, this definitely looks and sounds like my kind of game. I’ve never really played a hunting game before so I’m not familiar with the God Eater games but Code Vein looks like it’s going for a more linear, story-based action RPG approach which suits me. Just based on the art alone I cannot wait to see more of this and hope that we see plenty of gameplay coming out of E3.

Quake Champions’ newest character, Galena.

Id Software has released a short trailer showing off their new champion, Galena.

Described as the ‘Unholy Paladin’, Galena has an active and a passive ability. Her active ability, Unholy Totem, is a defensive/supportive totem that can be left on the ground. The totem acts as an AOE healing field for herself and her team, and a deadly mine for enemy players. It is unclear from the trailer what her passive ability, Channeling, does. Quake Champions is currently in closed beta which you can sign up for here.

Opinion: I’m very cautiously optimistic about this game. I’ve played some Quake Live and Unreal Tournament games in the past and I absolutely loved my time with them. Quake Champions’ formula of different characters with unique abilities disregards the classic even playing field of the old games and is more akin to recent ability based shooters, such as Destiny and Overwatch. I’m anxiously awaiting a closed beta key myself and will be sure to post my impressions of the game once I can get my hands on it.

Ubisoft opening new studios in Bordeaux and Berlin.

Ubisoft is expanding its European reach with new development studios opening later this year in Bordeaux, France, and Berlin, Germany. Ubisoft states that the new studios will be focusing on AAA games for existing franchises. The Bordeaux studio will be working with Ubisoft’s existing for French studios which have made games such as Just Dance, Steep, and Ghost Recon Wildlands. The Berlin studio will be working with Blue Byte, who have been involved recently in For Honor and Rainbow Six Siege, on an unannounced AAA game.

Opinion: As one of the biggest names in gaming, it’s never surprising to hear a company like Ubisoft expanding globally. There’s not too much to take away from this but I am disappointed to hear that the new studios will be focusing on making sequels for established franchises. I feel that Ubisoft just rests on the fact that they can continuously release nearly identical sequels to their main franchises year after year. Although, while I certainly don’t like For Honor, I do appreciate their effort to try something new with that.